The 50 Most Amazing Plays of All Time

Amazing. This word means more than just the game. It means a moment or a play. An image that withstands the test of time because it is so unforgettable that we make sure to keep it alive.

It transcends sports and moves into our lives. These are the moments that make us love sports and continue to watch it. We watch, waiting for the next great moment or amazing play, hoping that it will become immortalized in our psyche.

50. Nicks Catch Against WVU

The defender had the best reaction on that play. At first, he simply gives up because it looked like it was going to be an incomplete pass. Then, after the play was over, he puts his hands on his head in disbelief.

That's why Hakeem Nicks is playing in the Super Bowl and this guy is probably at home watching.

47. Derek Fisher .04 Shot

Did it count? What's wrong with the timekeeper? All of these questions come secondary to the fact that Derek Fisher made one of the most difficult/important/improbable buzzer beaters of all time, making it amazing.

The NBA says you need at least .3 seconds to attempt a legitimate shot. Fisher even left .1 seconds to spare.

44. Malik's Penalty Shot

Marek Malik, who was noted by the commentators for not being a normal penalty shooter nor having scored a goal all year, came through in ways that made the announcer shriek like a 10-year-old girl. See, at heart, we are all fans.

The move was memorable, but the fact that he ended the longest shootout in NHL history gives it a little something extra.

35. Oklahoma State Interception

On their way to the top of the rankings, the Oklahoma State Cowboys used some dramatics along the way.

In their biggest game of the year, cornerback Broderick Brown made possibly the most self-aware interception of all time. He tipped the ball to teammate Shaun Lewis, keeping his feet inbounds long enough to make the play.

33. Bears Decoy

Now put into perspective three things. First, special teams knows which way the punt is going to go (presumably). Second, all they have to do is look up in the air to see which way the ball is going. Third, the Bears are geniuses.

The fact that a team fears Devin Hester so much that they are willing to go wherever he goes is really special.

29. Devin Harris Buzzer Beater

Sometimes, you just cannot explain things. I don't care if it was a game of horse or a million-dollar bet, but Devin Harris surely could never do that again if he tried.

The 76ers did everything right. Andre Iguodala rode Harris to the sideline, hands in the air, with pressure defense and, by a stroke of luck, the ball left Harris' hand with about 0.05 seconds remaining.

22. David Tyree Catch

I'm officially changing the star of this play from David Tyree to Eli Manning. The escape and throw is greater than the helmet catch and, despite the media coverage surrounding the play, Eli should get his due credit.

There are a few plays that you'll never forget where you were when you saw it—this is one of them.

18. Full Court Miracle

Guilford College's Jordan Snipes just did the best thing he'll ever do in his life. Luckily, in today's day and age, he can watch it over and over again—it's hard to believe, athletically at least, he can top that.

When you make it on Sportscenter's Top 10, you know you've done something right.

13. Roberto Carlos vs. Tenerife

The only two-time member of this list, Roberto Carlos makes one of the most difficult shots known to man. With no real estate to work with, fading out of bounds, he fires a cross into the middle that goes to the top right corner.

Is it possible (or probable) that was simply a pass? Yes. Am I going to hold it against him? Absolutely not. Still one of the best goals I have ever seen.

11. Boise State Miracle

All right, so I'm going to list both of these plays in one slide because of the magnitude of the entire situation.

Going into the game, Boise was monumental underdogs and the Sooners played like it. Just when we all lost hope on the Broncos, Jared Zabransky threw the hook-and-lateral play to tie the game with seconds remaining, followed by the Statue of Liberty to Ian Johnson.